§ Miss Joan Lestorasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about disadvantages for women on the new job splitting scheme; what reply he has sent; and whether he proposes to take any action in this regard.
§ Mr. AlisonWe have received some comments about the position of women under the job splitting scheme, and in particular about the eligibility of married women. My right hon. Friend has explained that this scheme is a specific form of job sharing aimed at helping unemployed people in receipt of benefit on a broadly self-financing basis. This scheme is experimental; we are carefully monitoring its operation and will fully consider the representations we have received when the scheme is reviewed.